What happens when wellbeing becomes the heart of education — not an add-on, but a way of life? In this uplifting episode, Justin Robinson — Co-founder of The Wellbeing Distillery and former Director of the Institute of Positive Education at Geelong Grammar School — joins Dr. Scott Parsons and Jason Viyar for an inspiring exploration of leadership, wellbeing, and human flourishing. Together they trace the story of how positive psychology and positive education transformed one of the worl...

How can leaders turn polarization into possibility — and help people come together to write a hopeful, flourishing future? In this inspiring episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Dr. Scott Parsons is joined by Brandyn Keating, CEO and Co-Founder of YOUnify, an organization working to reduce political polarization and cultural divisions of all kinds and accelerate progress on humanity’s shared challenges. A civic innovator, political strategist, and contributing author in the Oxfor...

What does it mean to be a flourishing leader—someone whose character inspires flourishing in others? In this episode, Dr. Scott Parsons sits down with Professor Michael Lamb, F. M. Kirby Foundation Chair of Leadership and Character and Senior Executive Director of the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University. A Rhodes Scholar, political philosopher, and global thought leader on character education, Michael’s work bridges ancient wisdom and modern leadership practice. Tog...

What happens when one of the world’s leading strategy scholars turns her attention to character? In this fascinating conversation, Professor Mary Crossan—Distinguished University Professor and Professor of Strategic Leadership at Ivey Business School—joins Dr. Scott Parsons to explore why character is the essential foundation of flourishing leadership. Mary shares the story of how the global financial crisis shifted her focus toward character, the challenges of integrating virtues into ...

What does it really mean to win? And how can leaders build cultures that prioritize purpose, connection, and continuous growth over short-term success? In this episode of the Flourishing Leaders Podcast, host Dr. Scott Parsons is joined by Dr. Cath Bishop—Olympic silver medalist, World Champion rower, former British diplomat, leadership consultant, and author of The Long Win. Drawing from her experiences in elite sport, international diplomacy, and organizational leadership, Cath challenges u...

How does dignity transform workplaces into spaces where everybody truly matters? In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Scott Parsons and co-host Jason Viyar sit down with David Pickersgill, Senior Outreach Program Leader at Barry-Wehmiller and key leader within the Humanistic Leadership Academy. David shares how Barry-Wehmiller’s culture of care has been shaped by the principle that “everybody matters” — a vision reinforced by his collaboration with dignity expert Donna Hicks. Together, they ex...

How does anti-fragility fuel flourishing when life takes an unexpected turn? In this inspiring episode of the Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Dr. Scott Parsons is joined by returning co-host Jason Viyar for a powerful conversation with Tom Gaymor—former professional racing driver turned international broadcaster and commentator for Formula 1, IndyCar, the Olympics, Premiership Rugby, and global sport. Tom’s journey is extraordinary. After a devastating crash that left him with a broken bac...

How do character strengths transform the way we lead, parent, and flourish? In this episode of the Flourishing Leaders Podcast, host Dr. Scott Parsons welcomes Professor Robert McGrath—clinical psychologist, Senior Scientist at the VIA Institute on Character, Professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU), and the recent co-founder of the Center for Character and Leadership at FDU with Scott. Bob has authored more than 250 publications and presentations and is one of the world’s foremost e...

How do we measure the “immeasurable” in leadership? In this episode of the Flourishing Leaders Podcast, host Dr. Scott Parsons sits down with Dr. Ryan Brown, Managing Director for Measurement and Associate Director at the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University. In this inspiring conversation, Ryan shares his groundbreaking work on how character, forgiveness, and accountability shape authentic leadership. Ryan has spent his career at the intersection of psychology, leadership, and ...

What if the future of healthcare isn’t just about managing illness—but about truly flourishing? In this powerful episode of the Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Dr. Scott Parsons welcomes Dr. Nasha Winters, a globally recognized integrative oncology specialist, bestselling author of The Metabolic Approach to Cancer and Mistletoe and the Emerging Future of Integrative Oncology, and host of the Metabolic Matters podcast. Dr. Nasha is a pioneer in integrative cancer care, blending standard treatment...

What does it take to thrive under pressure, reframe fear, and build a flourishing life beyond performance? In this episode of the Flourishing Leaders Podcast, host Dr. Scott Parsons is joined by co-host Jason Viyar for a powerful conversation with Brandon Guyer—former Major League Baseball player, 2016 World Series competitor, and founder of Major League Mindset. Known as “La Piñata” for his fearless approach at the plate, Brandon turned adversity into strength, leading the league in hit-by-p...

What does it take to lead with wisdom across continents, crises, and cultures? In Episode #14 of the Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Dr. Scott Parsons sits down with Dr. Andrew Nevin — economist, philosopher, healthcare leader, and one of Africa’s most influential voices — for a sweeping conversation on the art and science of flourishing. Together, they explore: 🧠 Brain health and Brainomics — why the future of leadership and economic growth depends on cognitive well-being 🇨🇳 Leading...

What does it take to lead with character in today’s complex world? In this inspiring episode, Scott speaks with Professor Edward Brooks, Executive Director of the Oxford Character Project and Associate Professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Oxford. Ed is one of the world’s leading voices in character-based leadership development, and his work is transforming how we think about education, ethics, and human flourishing. Together, Scott and Ed ex...

What if Aristotle ran General Motors—or Harry Potter led your organization? In this delightful and enlightening episode, Scott sits down with one of the world’s most celebrated public philosophers and bestselling author Dr. Tom Morris to explore the art of achievement, the power of change, and the ancient wisdom needed to flourish in modern life. Tom is a Yale-trained philosopher, bestselling author, and former Notre Dame professor whose books and talks have influenced leaders around the worl...

What does it mean to know, love, and inspire the people you lead? In this episode of the Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Scott sits down with two extraordinary leaders—Dr. Katy Granville-Chapman and Ms. Emmie Bidston—for a heart-opening conversation about character, flourishing, and the transformative power of leadership rooted in love. Katy and Emmie share powerful insights from their acclaimed book, Leader: Know, Love, and Inspire Your People, as well as stories drawn from their experience in ...

In this illuminating episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Dr. Scott Parsons is joined by internationally renowned philosopher and scholar of character education, Professor Kristján Kristjánsson. Together, they explore the powerful intersections of moral philosophy, moral psychology, and moral education, charting how these once-parallel fields are converging in exciting new ways. The conversation takes a deep dive into Aristotle’s theory of emotions, the role of “social glue” virtues, a...

What if your greatest strength as a leader, athlete, or high-performer isn’t just in what you do—but how you show up? In this powerful episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Scott sits down with Gina Tucci-Karnisovas, an elite mental performance coach, licensed counselor, and founder of Beyond the Scoreboards. With decades of experience in sports psychology, mental health, and high-performance environments, Gina helps athletes and leaders train their minds to thrive. Together, Scott and ...

What does it take to move from managing people… to unleashing their greatness? In this high-impact episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Scott sits down with Stephen M.R. Covey, bestselling author of The Speed of Trust, and David Kasperson, his longtime collaborator and co-author of Trust & Inspire. Together, they explore a powerful paradigm shift that is reshaping leadership around the world—moving from command & control to trust & inspire. This is more than a framework; it...

What if the key to flourishing isn’t found in doing more—but in being more present? In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Scott welcomes Dr. Cortland Dahl—a scientist, author, meditation teacher, and Chief Contemplative Officer at Healthy Minds Innovations. Cort’s life journey has taken him from monasteries in Asia to neuroscience labs in the U.S., all in pursuit of one question: How can we train the mind to suffer less and flourish more? Together,...

What if flourishing—at both the individual and organizational level—came down to the agreements we make every day? In this enlightening episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Scott welcomes Dr. Jim Ritchie-Dunham, a global leader in the science of abundance and founder of the field known as pactoecography—the study of human agreements that shape our lives, relationships, and institutions. Jim shares powerful insights from decades of research and practice in over 59 countries, drawing fro...